Billionaire Backing Turned Kabaddi Into India’s No. 2 Sport
Anand Mahindra was inspired by the success of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to create a professional kabaddi league.
Mahindra met with Uday Shankar, then the head of Indian broadcaster Star TV, who told him that kabaddi could be the next biggest sport in India
Mahindra was skeptical at first, but he eventually agreed to go big and launch the PKL in 2014.
The PKL followed the IPL playbook, mixing high-octane production with Bollywood glamor and investment.
The league quickly became a hit, and it is now one of the most-watched sports leagues in India.
In 2022, the PKL's revenue was estimated to be around 150 crore.
PKL has helped to turn kabaddi into a major sport in India and around the world.
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